Carton



June 1s, 1940. E, G, OTTER' 2,205,068

CARTON Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l oaa'roN Earl C. Potter, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Felsv & Company, a corporation oi Pennsylvania 5 Claims. (Cl. 229-17 This invention relates to dispensing containers and more particularly to a dispensing container in the form of a carton in which a -collapsible dispensing spout is provided which is adapted for use in one position as a closure and in another position to direct the flow of contents from the container.

One object of the invention is to provide a dispensing carton of the class described in which an opening of maximum size is provided without cutting the ilaps ofthe carton longer than would be required for an ordinary folding carton.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and eifective means for retaining the dispensing spout in collapsed condition over the dispensing opening to provide a closure therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible dispensing spout which, when in collapsed condition, may be temporarily deformed to permit its extremity to be tucked in under a retaining portion on the carton, but which, at the same time, has suilicient elasticity to regain approximately its .former condition so that the spout will be effectively retained in closed position over the dispensing opening.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel 4features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawing, illustrating the preferred em'- bodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing carton with the spout open and in position to permit the contents to dow out;

Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the dispensing spout in position closing the dispensing opening;

Fig. 3 is a view of the blank; and

Fig. 4' is a perspective view illustrating the container enclosed within a wrapper.

Similar reference characters throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present invention, as disclosed, provides a carton adapted for retaining and dispensing pulverulent and granulated materials where it is desirable to remove only a small portion of the contents from time to time and, during the use of the contents, to retain the remaining portion thereof relatively free from contact with the air so as to maintain the contents in a substantially fresh condition.

The carton, in its preferred form, comprises a folding or one piece carton having a bottom, relatively wide side walls and narrower end walls, and a top formed in two parts, one part being a permanent partial closure and the other part being a. dispensing spout which may be utilized as a closure for the remainder of the top of the carton not closed by the permanent closure section. A

Referring more particularly to thedrawing, the blank 5 of the carton is cut and scored to provide side walls 6 and 1, and end walls 8 and 8. The Wall 8, in the present instance, is preferably provided with a glue ap I0 for securing this wall to the wall I by adhesive in a manner which is well known. Flaps II, I2, I3 and I4 are preferably provided to form a bottom for the container.

The dispensing spout, indicated as a Whole at I5, comprises what may be termed a bottom I6 and side walls I'l and I8. The bottom I6 is carried by the end wall 9 and preferably forms an integral extension thereon. 'Ihe side walls N and I8 are connected respectively to the upper edges of the walls 6 and 1 and are preferably formed 'as integral c'orner folds or extensions which extend between the side edges of the bottom I6 and the side Walls 6 and l.

'Ihe bottom I6 of the dispensing spout when in collapsed condition will close vthe opening 20 and will be retained in a manner presently to be described.

To supplement the dispensing spout in closing thetop of the container, a permanent closure is provided which, in the present instance, comprises a/ilap 2| on the end wall 8 and flaps 22 and 23 on the end walls 6 and 1.

'I'he sides I1 and I8 of the dispensing spout areA preferably scored at an angle of approximately forty ilve degrees from the upper corners of Athe end wall 9. These score lines are indicated at 26, 25. In order to facilitate inward bending of these side portions of the dispensing spout, short slits 26, 26 are provided in align ment with the score lines 25, 25.

The sides I'I and I8 are preferably of triangular shape, being cut along diagonal lines extending from the upper edge of the side walls 6 and 'I to the outer corners of the bottom I6 of the spout at an angle of approximately forty ve degrees. 'Ihe particular shape of the free edges of the sides I1 and I8 is not material as they may be cut along vother than a straight line without substantially altering their function. The flaps 22 and 23 which form the partial permanent closure section are formed with extended edge portions 22a and 23a projecting a short distance beyond the points at'which the sides Il and I 8 of the spout meet the respective side walls 6 and 1. While only one of the walls 22 and 23 may, if desired, be formed with an extended portion thereon, it is considered preferable to supply both of these flaps with such extensions. The relations between the parts are such that the end of the bottom wall I6 of the spout will underlie the edges of the aps 22 and 23. to substantially the depth of the extended portions thereon. While this relation is preferred it is only necessary that a relatively small portion of the free edge of the bottom I6 of the spout be engaged beneath the extended edges of the flaps 22 and 23,

For the purpose of facilitating the tucking ln of the edge of the collapsed spout beneath the permanent partial closure section, score line 21 is preferably impressed across the bottom I6 and the sections I1a. and larof the side walls on the spout. This score line is preferably parallel to the hinge of the spout and in the present in stance is spaced back from the free edge of the spout at a distance of from one-quarter to onethird of the total length of the bottom wall I6. When the spout is moved to collapsed condition to serve as a closure for the dispensing opening, the edge portion thereof between the score line 21 and the end of the bottom I6 may be bent somewhat downward by the fingers to 'permit it to be tucked in beneath the permanent closure section. The connection between side walls I1 and I8 and the bottom I6 of the spout causes the parts I1a and lila when in collapsed condition to lie relatively close to the under surface of the bottom I6 so that in bending downward the edge of the bottom I6, it will also be necessary. to some extent to bend the extremities of the sections I1a and I8a of the sides. The tendency of these portions of the sides, however, is to resist deiiection of the bottom I6 of the spout so that the result is that when the edge of the bottom I6 is inserted beneath the permanent closure section there is a tendency for it to at least partially regain its original plane form. This tends to prevent the spout from becoming accidentally displaced and, thus, substantially insures that the carton will remain closed until the spout is forcefully opened by grasping the sides with the fingers and pulling upward.

While the use of score lines in the sections I1a and I8a of the side walls is preferred for the sake of simplifying the manufacture and use. such score lines are not necessary and may, if desired, be dispensed with, in which case the score line would extend only across the bottom I6.

In order to still further increase the flexibility of the outer free edge of the bottom I6 of the spout, a small slit 28 is preferably formed adjacent to a corner of the bottom I 6 and in alignment with the score line between the bottom and one of its adjacent side walls.

The outer edge of the bottom I6 may be somewhat rounded, as indicated at 29, whereby the introduction of this edge beneath the flaps 22 and 23 is somewhat facilitated.

In the use of the carton of the present invention, the bottom flaps are sealed after which the carton is filled. The dispensing spout is then moved to closed position over the dispensing opening, and the flaps 2|, 22 and 23 are brought down to permanent position and glued. It is to be noted that in moving the collapsed dispensing spout first into closed position and then sealing the naps 22 and 23. the extensions 22a and 23a on these naps will overlle the edge of the collapsed spout. While this procedure is not always necessary, it is considered preferable.

In some instances it is found very desirable to first seal the top flaps after which the carton is filled while in inverted position. The bottom aps are then sealed in a usual manner and the carton is ready to be wrapped.

The carton, after being filled and sealed, is preferably enclosed in an outer wrapper 30 which vmay contain the label identifying the contents and may also contain directions for opening the dispensing spout and using same. When an outer wrapper is used, this wrapper will serve as a retaining device for the spout in the event the edge of the spout is not tucked in below the edge of the permanent closure section.

It is apparent that the carton of the present invention provides a dispensing opening of maximum size without requiring the use of any excessive amount of stock in cutting out the carton blanks. This is due to the fact that the iiaps at both the top and bottom of the carton are not greater in length than the width of the end wail. At the same ime, however, by providing extensions on the flaps 22 and 23, in a position overlying the lower part of the sides I'I and I8 of the spout (see Fig. 5), it is possible to provide a retaining member for the spout end, at the same time, utilize substantially the full length of the flap forming the bottom I6.

While the present description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, certain changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

This application is a substitute for my abandoned application, Serial Number 130,661, led

March 13, 1937.

I claim:

1. A dispensing carton comprising a bottom, two side walls, two end walls, a permanent top closure section connected to the side walls and extending from an end wall inwardly and terminating short of the other end wall at one edge to provide a dispensing opening, said permanent top closure section having its said edge extending beyond the length of its connections to the side walls whereby to overhang the box interior, a movable pouring spout adapted in one position to serve as a closure for the dispensing opening, said pouring spout comprising a bottom and two side walls carried respectively by the end and side walls of the carton adjacent to the dispensing opening, the side walls and bottom of the spout being defined from the walls of the carton by score lines on which said walls are adapted to swing, the side walls of the spout being scored thereacross at an angle' of forty-five degrees from the upper edges of the carton side walls whereby the side walls of the spout will collapse inwardly to permit the bottom of the spout to fold flat over the dispensing opening and close the same, the bottom of the spout being of a length suf'cient so that the edge portion will somewhat underlie the said edge of the permanent closure section to retain the dispensing spout in closed condition, and the bottom of the spout also having a score line impressed therein, 'generally parallel with,

but spaced from, its free edge whereby the end portion of the spout may be bent down to facilitate tucking in under the permanent closure section.

2. A dispensing carton comprising a bottom, two side walls, two end walls, a permanent closure section extending from an end wall and terminating short of the other end wall to provide a dispensing opening, a pouring spout comprising an extension hinged to the topedge of the end wail adjacent to the opening and forming the bottom of thespout, extensions joined to the side edges of the bottom of the spout,

said extensions being foldable to a collapsed condition on the inner face of the spout bottom when it has been moved to a position to close the dispensing opening, a score line impressed in the bottom of the pouring spout at a distance from the outer end thereof to facilitate the downward deection of the end portion of the spout to permit insertion of the end beneath the adjacent edge of theipermanent closure section, the side extensions on the spout extending to the outer end of the bottom and tending to resist deflection of the end of the spout whereby, after the end of the spout has been inserted beneath the edge of the permanent closure section, the side extensions will tend to cause the bottom of the spout to return to its original undeiected form, there being a slit formed between the bottom panel of the pouring spout and a side wall thereon extending a short distance back from the free end of the spout to thereby further facilitate downward bending of the free edge portion of the spout.

3. A dispensing carton comprising a bottom, two side walls, two end walls, a permanent closure' section having one marginal edge attached to and extending from one end wall toward the opposite end wall and having its opposite marginal edge terminating short of the other end wall to provide a dispensing opening, the other marginal edges of said permanent closure section being secured to the side Walls from said one end wall to within a relatively short distance of said opposite marginal edge oi' said permanent closure section and being free from said side walls over said short distance. a pouring spout comprising an extension hinged to the top edge o! the end wall adjacent to the opening and form ing the bottom of the spout, extensionsy joined to the side edges of the bottom of the spout, said extensions being foldable to a collapsed condition on the inner face of thespout bottom when it has been moved to a. position to close the dispensing opening, the free end portion of the bottom and side extensions of the pouring spout, when in collapsed condition, being adapted to be bent downward to permit insertion o! the end oi.' the spout beneath the said opposite marginal edge of the permanent closure section.

4. A dispensing carton comprising a bottom, two side walls, two end walls, a permanent closure section extending from an end wall and terminating short of the other end wall to provide a dispensing opening, a pouring spout comprising an extension hinged to the top edge of the end wall adjacent the opening and forming the bottom of the spout, extensions joined to the side edges of the bottom of the spout, said extensions being foldable to a collapsed condition on the inner face of the spout bottom when it has been moved to a position to close the dispensing opening, a score line impressed in the bottom of the pouring spout at a` distance from the outer end thereof to facilitate the downward deflection of the' end portion of the spout to permit insertion of the end beneath the adjacent edge of the permanent closure section, the side extension on one side of the spout extending to the outer end of the bottom of the spout and tending to resist deflection of the end of the spout whereby, after the end of the spout has been inserted beneath the edge of the permanentkkclosure section, the said one side extension will tend to cause the bottom of the spout to return to its original undeected form, the other of said side extensions being joined to the other side of the spout over a distance terminating short of the outer end of the spout.

5. A dispensing carton comprising a bottom,

two side walls, two end walls, a permanent clo- Y sure section extending from an end wall and terminating short of the other end wall to provide a dispensing opening, a pouring spout comprising an extension hinged to the top edge of the end wall adjacent the opening and forming the bottom of the spout, extensions joined to the side edges of the bottom of the spout,

said extensions being foldable .to a collapsed con- Y dition on the inner face of the spout bottom when it has been moved to a position to close the dispensing opening, the side extensions on the spout extending to the outer end of the bottom and tending to resist deection of the end of the spout whereby, after the end of the spout has been inserted beneath the edge of the permarient closure section, the side extensions will tend to cause the bottomof the spout to return to its original undefiected form, there being a slit formed between the bottom panel oi the pouring spout -and a side wall thereof extending a short distance back from the free end of the spout to thereby facilitate downward bending of the free edge portion of the spout.

EARL C. POTTER. 

